Planning your travel between Australia’s Luxury Lodges

Below you will find brief information with great 'from the source' tips about traveling to or between any of Australia’s luxury lodges - an invaluable guide when planning a trip, and whether you book direct with your chosen destinations, or via your preferred travel specialist, the aim is to minimise time in transit, and maximise time experiencing our incredible destinations.

4.5 hour drive to Adelaide airport (or 10min drive and 65min private air charter from Hawker), 3hr flight to Perth, 3hr drive to Cape Lodge in Margaret River More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

Bamurru Plains NT

From

Cape Lodge WA

26 hours

3hr drive to Perth Airport, 3.5hr flight to Darwin Airport, overnight Darwin, next day private 20min flight to private airstrip, 15min hosted drive to Bamurru Plains (Note: In summer period, the private flight can be booked during late daylight hours eliminating the requirement to overnight in transit.) More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

Cape Lodge WA

From

El Questro Homestead WA

11 hours

2hr hosted drive to Kununurra Airport. 4.5hr flight to Perth Airport with a connection in Broome. 3hr drive to Cape Lodge in Margaret River. (On Saturdays, an early departure from El Questro Homestead allows a non-stop flight from Kununurra to Perth, reducing transit time by about two hours.) More »

To

El Questro Homestead WA

From

Cape Lodge WA

11 hours

(El Questro operates from April until October.) Early morning 3 hr drive to Perth Airport, 4-1/2 hour flight to Kununurra Airport with change of planes at Broome, 2hr hosted drive to El Questro Homestead (Note that on Saturday and Sunday, a non-stop Perth to Kununurra flight is available that reduces transit time by about two hours and allows time for breakfast at Cape Lodge before departing. More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

Capella Lodge NSW

From

El Questro Homestead WA

47 hours

2hr hosted drive to Kununurra Airport, 1hr flight to Darwin Airport, overnight Darwin. Next afternoon, 4hr flight to Sydney Airport, overnight Sydney. Following morning, 2hr flight to Lord Howe Island, 5min hosted transfer to Capella Lodge. (Note: For guests prepared to fly overnight, a midnight departing flight from Darwin to Sydney allows for this transfer to occur in about 23 hours without stayovers in Darwin and Sydney.) More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

Cape Lodge WA

From

Longitude 131° NT

8 hours

15min hosted drive to Ayers Rock Airport, 2.5hr flight to Perth, drive 3hr to Cape Lodge (Note: On departures from Longitude 131 Resort on Monday, Wednesday or Friday the direct flight from Ayers Rock Airport to Perth does not operate. For transit on these days, travel Ayers Rock to Alice Springs, Alice Springs to Adelaide and then Adelaide to Perth arriving for a late overnight in Perth before continuing the next day by car to Cape Lodge.) More »

To

Longitude 131° NT

From

Cape Lodge WA

25 hours

3hr drive to Perth, overnight in Perth, 2hr flight to Ayers Rock Airport, 15min hosted drive to Longitude 13. (Note: on Monday, Wednesday and Friday the Perth to Ayers Rock direct flight does not operate. For travel into Longitude 131 Resort on these days, the alternative is to substitute an overnight in Adelaide for the overnight in Perth.) More »

2hr hosted drive to Kununurra Airport, 1hr flight to Darwin Airport, overnight Darwin. Next afternoon, 3hr flight to Brisbane Airport, overnight Brisbane. Next day 1.5hr flight to Hamilton Island Airport, 10min hosted drive to qualia. (Note: For guests prepared to fly overnight, a midnight departing flight from Darwin to Brisbane allows for this transfer to occur in about 25 hours without stayovers in Darwin and Brisbane.) More »

5min hosted ground transfer to Lizard Island Airport, scheduled 1hr scenic flight to Cairns Airport, hosted transfer to the main terminal, 2hr flight to Brisbane, overnight Brisbane, next day 1.5hr flight to Hamilton Island Airport, 10min hosted drive to qualia (Note: Lizard Island can arrange a private aircraft transfer very early any summer morning that will connect with an early morning commercial flight from Cairns Airport direct to Hamilton Island for a same-day transfer from Lizard Island More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

El Questro Homestead WA

From

Sal Salis WA

31 hours

(El Questro operates from April until October.) 1.5hr hosted drive to Exmouth/Learmonth Airport, 2hr flight to Perth Airport, overnight Perth. Next day 4.5hr flight from Perth to Kununurra via Broome and 2hr hosted drive to El Questro Homestead. (Note that on Sundays a flight operates between Exmouth/Learmonth and Broome with an onward connection to Kununurra, dramatically reducing transit time to about eight hours and requiring no overnight stays). More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

Longitude 131° NT

From

Sal Salis WA

32 hours

1,5hr hosted drive to Exmouth/Learmonth Airport, 2hr flight to Perth Airport, overnight in Perth, next day 2hr flight to Ayers Rock Airport, 15min hosted drive to Longitude 131 (Note: on Monday, Wednesday and Friday the Perth to Ayers Rock direct flight does not operate. For travel into Longitude 131 Resort on these days, the alternative is to substitute an overnight in Adelaide for the overnight in Perth.) More »

To

Sal Salis WA

From

Longitude 131° NT

25 hours

15min hosted drive to Ayers Rock Airport, 2.5hr flight to Perth, overnight Perth, 2hr flight to Exmouth/Learmonth Airport, 1.5hr hosted drive to Sal Salis at Ningaloo Reef (Note: On departures from Longitude 131 Resort on Monday, Wednesday or Friday the direct flight from Ayers Rock Airport to Perth does not operate. For transit on these days, travel Ayers Rock to Alice Springs, Alice Springs to Adelaide and then Adelaide to Perth arriving for a late overnight in Perth.) More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

Bamurru Plains NT

From

Southern Ocean Lodge SA

21 hours

50min hosted drive to Kingscote Kangaroo Island Airport, 30min flight to Adelaide Airport, overnight Adelaide, next day 4hr flight to Darwin Airport, hosted transfer to general aviation terminal, private 20min flight to private airstrip, 15min hosted drive to Bamurru Plains (Note: Southern Ocean Lodge can book an early morning private flight from Vivonne Bay airstrip to Adelaide airport in time to make the morning flight to Darwin, thus eliminating the overnight in Adelaide.) More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

Capella Lodge NSW

From

Spicers Peak Lodge QLD

8 hours

2hr drive to Brisbane Airport, 1.5hr flight to Sydney, connect to 2hr flight to Lord Howe Island Airport, 5min hosted drive to Capella Lodge (Note: On Sunday only, there is a direct flight from Brisbane to Lord Howe Island which eliminates the requirement for a connection in Sydney.) More »

To

Spicers Peak Lodge QLD

From

Capella Lodge NSW

24 hours

5min hosted drive to Lord Howe Island Airport, 2hr flight to Sydney Airport, connect to 1.5hr flight to Brisbane Airport, overnight Brisbane, next day 2hr drive to Spicers Peak Lodge (Note: On Sundays only, there is a direct flight from Lord Howe Island to Brisbane which eliminates the requirement for a connection in Sydney and an overnight in transit.) More »

4.5 hour drive to Adelaide airport (or 10min drive and 65min private air charter from Hawker), 4hr Saturday morning flight to Broome Airport, 2hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Friday overnight in Broome is required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North departs Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide or Perth depending on itinerary, and for these departures, alternate inter-lodge transfer routings would apply More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

Bamurru Plains NT

From

True North WA

23 hours

Private transfer from Broome Pier to Broome Airport, 2.5hr flight to Darwin Airport, overnight Darwin, next day private 20min flight to private airstrip, 15min hosted drive to Bamurru Plains. Note that True North arrives alternate locations depending on cruise itinerary, and thus other routings may be applicable. More »

To

True North WA

From

Bamurru Plains NT

10 hours

15min hosted drive to private airstrip, private 20min flight to Darwin Airport general aviation, hosted transfer to main terminal, 3hr Saturday morning flight to Broome Airport, 3hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Thursday overnight in Broome is required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North departs Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide or Perth depending on itine More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

Cape Lodge WA

From

True North WA

7 hours

10min private transfer from Broome Pier to Broome Airport, 2.5hr flight to Perth Airport, 3hr drive to Cape Lodge. Note that True North arrives alternate locations depending on cruise itinerary, and thus other routings may be applicable. More »

To

True North WA

From

Cape Lodge WA

10 hours

3hr drive to Perth Airport, 2.5hr flight to Broome Airport, 2hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Friday overnight in Broome is required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North departs Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide or Perth depending on itinerary, and for these departures, alternate inter-lodge transfer routings would apply More »

5min hosted drive to Lord Howe Island Airport, 2hr flight to Sydney Airport, connect to 5hr flight to Perth Airport, overnight Friday in Perth, next day 2.5hr flight to Broome Airport, 3hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Thursday overnight in Perth and a Friday overnight in Broome are required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North departs Darwi More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

El Questro Homestead WA

From

True North WA

2 hours

(El Questro operates from April until October.) 2hr hosted drive from Wyndham direct to El Questro Homestead, on select days when True North ship makes a stop in Wyndham. Other itineraries allow disembarking in Broome or Darwin with a local overnight and then a 1-1/2hr flight and a 2hr hosted drive. More »

To

True North WA

From

El Questro Homestead WA

2 hours

2hr hosted drive to Wyndham, transfer to pier for 5pm sailing, on select days when True North ship makes a stop in Wyndham. Other itineraries allow boarding in Broome or Darwin (a 1.5hr flight) following a 2hr hosted drive. More »

Early departure 3hr drive to Sydney Airport, 5hr Saturday morning flight to Broome Airport, 2hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Friday overnight in Broome is required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North departs Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide or Perth depending on itinerary, and for these departures, alternate inter-lodge transfer More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

Lake House VIC

From

True North WA

11 hours

10min private transfer from Broome Pier to Broome Airport, 2.5hr flight to Perth Airport, connect to 3.5hr flight to Melbourne, 1hr drive to Lake House in Daylesford (late arrival). Note that True North arrives alternate locations depending on cruise itinerary, and thus other routings may be applicable. More »

To

True North WA

From

Lake House VIC

13 hours

1hr drive to Melbourne Airport, 1hr Saturday morning flight to Adelaide Airport, connect in Adelaide to 4hr flight to Broome Airport, 2hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Friday overnight in Broome is required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North departs Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide or Perth depending on itinerary. More »

5min hosted ground transfer to Lizard Island Airport, scheduled 60min scenic flight to Cairns general aviation terminal, hosted transfer to main terminal, 2.5hr flight to Darwin Airport, overnight Friday evening Darwin, next day 3hr flight to Broome Airport, 3hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Thursday overnight in Darwin and a Friday overnight in Broome are required for an early morning transfer More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

Longitude 131° NT

From

True North WA

26 hours

10min private transfer from Broome Pier to Broome Airport, 4hr flight to Sydney Airport, overnight Sydney, next day 3.5hr flight to Ayres Rock Airport, 15min hosted drive to Longitude 131. Note that True North arrives alternate locations depending on cruise itinerary, and thus other routings may be applicable. More »

To

True North WA

From

Longitude 131° NT

34 hours

15min hosted drive to Ayers Rock Airport, 1hr flight to Alice Springs, connect to 2hr flight to Darwin, overnight Friday evening Darwin, next day 3hr flight to Broome Airport, 3hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Thursday overnight in Darwin and a Friday overnight in Broome are required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North departs Darwin, Cairn More »

1.5hr drive to Sydney Airport, 5hr Saturday morning flight to Broome Airport, 2hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Friday overnight in Broome is required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North departs Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide or Perth depending on itinerary, and for these departures, alternate inter-lodge transfer routings would apply More »

10min hosted drive to Hamilton Island Airport, 2.5hr flight to Sydney Airport, overnight Sydney, Saturday morning 5hr flight to Broome Airport, 2hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Thursday overnight in Perth and a Friday overnight in Broome are required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North departs Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide or More »

3hr drive to Hobart Airport, 2hr flight to Sydney Airport, connect to 5.5hr flight to Perth Airport, overnight Perth, Saturday morning 2.5hr flight to Broome Airport, 3hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Thursday overnight in Perth and a Friday overnight in Broome are required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North departs Darwin, Cairns, Brisban More »

1.5hr hosted drive to Exmouth/Learmonth Airport, 3hr flight to Perth Airport, overnight Perth, Saturday morning 2.5hr flight to Broome Airport, 3hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Thursday overnight in Perth and a Friday overnight in Broome are required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North departs Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide or More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

Silky Oaks Lodge QLD

From

True North WA

10 hours

Private transfer from Broome Pier to Broome Airport, 8hr flight to Cairns Airport with connection in Brisbane, 70min private vehicle transfer to Silky Oaks Lodge. Note that True North arrives alternate locations depending on cruise itinerary, and thus other routings may be applicable. More »

To

True North WA

From

Silky Oaks Lodge QLD

23 hours

70min private vehicle transfer to Cairns Airport, 2.5hr flight to Darwin Airport, overnight Friday evening Darwin, next day 3hr flight to Broome Airport, 3hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Thursday overnight in Darwin and a Friday overnight in Broome are required for an early morning transfer More »

50min hosted drive to Kingscote Kangaroo Island Airport, 30min flight to Adelaide Airport, connect to 3.5hr flight to Perth Airport, overnight Perth, Saturday morning 2.5hr flight to Broome Airport, 3hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Thursday overnight in Perth and a Friday overnight in Broome are required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

Spicers Peak Lodge QLD

From

True North WA

26 hours

Private transfer from Broome Pier to Broome Airport, 2.5hr flight to Perth Airport, connect to 4hr flight to Brisbane Airport, overnight Brisbane, next day 2hr drive to Spicers Peak. Note that True North arrives alternate locations depending on cruise itinerary, and thus other routings may be applicable More »

To

True North WA

From

Spicers Peak Lodge QLD

32 hours

2hr drive to Brisbane Airport, 5.5hr flight to Perth Airport, overnight Perth, Saturday morning 2.5hr flight to Broome Airport, 3hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Thursday overnight in Perth and a Friday overnight in Broome are required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North departs Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide or Perth depending More »

TRAVELLING BETWEEN LODGES

To

The Louise SA

From

True North WA

8 hours

Private transfer from Broome Pier to Broome Airport, 3hr flight to Adelaide Airport, 1.5hr drive to The Louise. Note that True North arrives alternate locations depending on cruise itinerary, and thus other routings may be applicable More »

To

True North WA

From

The Louise SA

12 hours

1.5hr drive to Adelaide Airport, 4hr Saturday morning flight to Broome Airport, 2hr free time in Broome, private transport to Broome Pier for 5pm Saturday sailing. Note that for sailings departing from Hunter River, a Friday overnight in Broome is required for an early morning transfer to Hunter River. Between October and February, True North departs Darwin, Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide or Perth depending on itinerary, and for these departures, alternate inter-lodge transfer routings would apply More »

* Travel time is an approximate guide for planning purposes and includes usual check-in and transfer times, but is subject to transport operator timetables.

Notes for Using the “Plan Your Trip” Guidance

Transit times between lodges have been estimated based upon logical daily available connections available to the independent traveler. Times are simply a first approximation to what may be expected in a real situation and should be used only for general planning purposes. Individual travelers who are comfortable booking their own airline flights and rental cars will find that getting around Australia will be easy to plan and book, and arrangements will be as they would expect in any highly-developed competitive economy that cares for visitors.

As airlines regularly adjust schedules and routings, the information that was deemed accurate at initial publication may have subsequently changed, and certain of these transit times may be optimistic or not achievable in practice. Some lodges are closed for a part of each year, and some airline routings used for this table of transit times do not operate every day of the week. You are advised to check with the carriers and to obtain updated information from the respective properties before booking your travels. Luxury Lodges of Australia Ltd assumes no liability for the accuracy of the information presented in this planning table.

In calculating the transit times and routings in this information, Luxury Lodges of Australia has presumed that starting time at the point of departure would not be prior to 6am and that arrival time at the destination would not be after 9pm. (Where this would have been required, the journey has been adjusted to allow an overnight stay in a logical major city along the route to the destination.) In the vast majority of cases, transits can be accomplished with a normal mid-morning departure after breakfast and arrival will be prior to commencement of late afternoon guest activities and/or evening dinner. Where the transit indicates a driving segment, it is presumed the guest is operating a standard rental car, driving at posted speeds in normal weather conditions, without highway construction or other delays, and allows time for regular breaks. Where guests wish to add sightseeing stops, detours or meal breaks, this should be taken into consideration to determine if connections remain viable. When a driving segment is followed by a flight segment, a minimum of 90 minutes has been allowed to turn in a rental car and check-in with the airline at a major airport (and 45 minutes at smaller regional airports). Where airline connecting flights are indicated, only airlines allowing inter-line luggage connections have been considered, such that claiming and re-checking baggage at an intermediate airport has been avoided.

While Australia is a large country (about the size of the contiguous United States or the European Union), getting around is remarkably straightforward. Australians have a refreshing can-do attitude, highways are of good condition (some off-road driving is required to reach a few remote lodges), airlines are punctual and have excellent safety records, airports are clean and relatively easy to navigate and security procedures are smooth and proficient. Other than transcontinental flights between Perth with the east coast of Australia, domestic flights are generally of 1 to 3 hour durations. At the time of this writing, all four major domestic Australian airlines expect domestic check-in to be completed 45 minutes before posted departure time, which is generally sufficient to then clear security and have a leisurely boarding. All airlines have assigned seats, with most flights allowing online seat selection about 24 hours before departure (earlier for some club members and frequent flyers). Qantas and Virgin Blue fly primarily Boeing 737 aircraft domestically while Jetstar and Tiger Airways use predominately Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. Regional airlines deploy primarily two-engine prop aircraft for short extension connections, while private flights are typically accomplished in single engine smaller planes. Major rental car agency counters and cars tend to be directly adjacent to airport terminals (Australia does not require passengers to endure the bus ride to the remote lot, except for some of the discount car hire firms.)

Several of the Luxury Lodges of Australia properties are sited in remote locations where it is best for them and for guests that the final leg of the journey to their property is provided by their local transport specialist. These will be spelled out in their booking conditions and the price and availability of these transport services will be clearly delineated.